A pair of unsteady hands, a tangle of elastics and a mannequin head set the tone as Vancouver Island dads spend an afternoon learning how to braid, twist and tie their daughters’ hair, skills many admit they are only just beginning to figure out. “I believe I’m doing a braid… it’s like a one or a two out of 10,” joked Sean McNeill, pausing mid-motion as he twisted strands of hair in his hands. The learning curve is exactly the point. McNeill is one of the organizers of Pints and Ponytails, a Father’s Day-themed workshop held at Beacon Brewing in Sidney. The two-hour event brings dads together to learn basic hair styling from ponytails to braids and bubble braids in a relaxed, social setting. For McNeill, a father of two, the motivation is simple. “It’s an important way for myself to be able to connect with my daughter,” he said. “And be there in her life.” The idea, he added, is to take something that can feel intimidating and turn it into something routine. “It can be complicated, it’s confusing. We haven’t dealt with it our whole life,” he said. “We’re learning and just trying to work through the knots.” Inside the workshop, participants practise on mannequins under the guidance of stylists from La Boutique Salon, who walk them through step-by-step techniques. Co-owner Elyse Barkley said the goal is to build confidence as much as skill. “I can understand how intimidating something that you don’t know how to do is, so it’s just to help build their confidence,” she said. Beyond braids and ponytails, the event also carries a broader message about parenting roles. Alexa Fetherston, owner of Beacon Brewing, said the collaboration reflects how expectations around caregiving are shifting. “Roles are kind of being broken down now from men staying in certain lanes and only doing certain things,” she said. “Healthy masculinity is a big topic in our world right now.” The brewery is providing drinks for the event, helping create a casual, community atmosphere where learning is paired with conversation. Proceeds from ticket sales are also going to the Help Fill a Dream Foundation, which supports children living with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and their families. McNeill said that adds another layer of meaning to the afternoon. “They do an incredible job at supporting those families and helping dreams come true for the children,” he said. By the end of the session, organizers hope the dads leave with more than just a new skill, a little more confidence, and a stronger connection at home. Still, for many in the room, perfection isn’t the goal. Just getting to a “three out of 10” might be a win. The event is on May 23, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Sidney.
